Episode 281 – New Markets for Artists / A Matter of Style

That is just one route to a sale. I gave that specific example so you could see how an actual studio sale might take place, but yours might be very different. However, if you remember the basic elements of the sale, you will be fine. Keep in mind what it takes to encourage someone to buy your work. They have to fall in love with it, and it’s your job to see that that happens. The most subtle and crucial task is getting them engaged in your work. You can do this in many more ways than what I mentioned earlier, but that must not be forgotten. Help them talk about your artwork and treat their opinions as the special gifts that they are and use them to help make the sale. Art is perhaps one of the more difficult things to sell, and to buy, and like any commodity, the consumer needs to be encouraged to buy your product. Be mindful of this, because you might feel comfortable talking about art, but most people do not.

Traditional Studio Visit Aided by Facebook

That was the classic structure of the studio visit and sale. Now that we are in the new millennium, there are a few more tools we can use in the sale. If there has ever beena video of you discussing your work, you should show the video. You can use social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to help bring people to your studio. I am not talking about groups of people but individuals who might come and buy your work. They could be anyone. Facebook lets us easily search for collectors and make connections. We used to meet new people at museum and gallery openings (and we still do), but now we can make real meaningful connections through Facebook as well.